crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

1

: any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans (especially families Astacidea, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) resembling the lobster but usually much smaller

2

: spiny lobster

Illustration of crayfish

• crayfish 1

Examples of crayfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The path intersects with Mill Creek, the home of the endangered Nashville crayfish. —Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025

There have been some instances, however, when an upset crayfish comes home from a hard day of crayfishing only to have to kick out a frog and cap the burrow. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

Known as the Okanagan crayfish, this species is found in north-central Washington and south-central British Columbia, Canada. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025

Bramley pulled one, then began sorting crayfish according to the official regulations and his personal rules. —Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Anglo-French creveis, escreveice, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krebiz crab — more at crab

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crayfish

• sea crayfish

Kids Definition

crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

1

: any of numerous freshwater crustaceans that are related to but usually much smaller than the lobster

2

: spiny lobster